Monogram



Jan. 2, 1934. M, CHERNOW 1,942,240

MONOGRAM Filed Sept. 19, 1933 L3 v u 1? my a P H P -j? 1i 1? INVENTOR BY 9 W 4.2% 69% ATTORNEYS Patented Jan. 2, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application September 19, 1933 Serial No. 690,066

8 Claims.

My present invention relates to improvements in monograms of the character which are manufactured, sold and handled as individual units bodily applicable to a support.

The term monogram is used for descriptive convenience only and is intended to include letters, numerals, symbols, decorative devices, identifying characters and similar indicia. The support to which the monograms are applied may constitute or form part of any of an infinite variety of devices, typical examples of which are cigarette cases, vanity cases, escutcheon plates, automobile doors, rings, plaques of glass, celluloid or metal etc., the support being usually smooth and hard.

An object of the invention is to provide a monogram of extremely thin metal and permanently carrying a non-water soluble adhesive material on its rear face so that it is merely necessary to slightly soften the adhesive material with a suitable solvent and press the monogram against the support surface to effect secure mounting thereof and the monogram when so mounted due to its extreme thinness and due to other factors which will be later discussed, will realistically simulate an expensive inlay.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a monogram which lies perfectly flat against the support surface; a monogram formed of extremely thin gauge, bendable metal which has not been subjected to distortion in the formation of the monogram, that is to say, there are no burrs or other large or small deformations in the monogram itself which might interfere with pressing it fiatly and securely against a support surface and securing perfect adhesion of the monogram to the surface; to provide a monogram which when attached to a support surface may be exposedto the weather without danger of dislodgment and yet is capable of ready removal from the support if an article is to be remonogrammed, by the simple expedient of applying solvent to loosen the adhesive material, prying the monogram loose without danger of scratching or marring the support surface and then using the same solvent to wipe any remaining vestiges of the adhesive material from the support surface.

This latter object is particularly important not only because articles are sometimes monogrammed incorrectly but because much valuable stock may be monogrammed by a retailer for window display or other displays and it is essential that such monogram be readily removable without injuring such stock. In connection with this feature of the invention these monograms are frequently used as identifying indicia on the doors of automobiles and would detract from the resale value of the car unless removable readily and without leaving any telltale indicia.

Another object is to provide a monogram which may be indefinitely kept in stock by department stores without becoming sticky or difiicult to handle in humid weather, without becoming stuck to or staining its fellows if a plurality of such monograms are stacked and without any substantial deterioration in the adhesive material itself.

Other objects are to provide a monogram which will closely simulate the rich, expensivev appearance of a carefully made inlay, yet which will be of but negligible cost as compared to an inlay; a monogram which will not become inadvertently dislodged or removed from its support by striking against extraneous-objects or by careless handling; a monogram which may be applied with expedition and facility without 7 the use of tools,- without the need for special care, without the need for skilled or specially trained operators to apply it; and a monogram of extremely simple, practical, rugged, durable I construction. 30

The present application is a continuation in part of my copending application Serial No. 683,248, filed August 2, 1933, now Patent No. 1,932,304 dated Oct. 24, 1933. The claims of such copending application depend for patentability upon a novel suction cup action of the cement or adhesive material and in this application I claim all of the subject matter disclosed in the said above identified copending application and not claimed therein, together with certain new subject matter which is not disclosed in said application.

The invention may be more fully understood from the following description in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of a metal cigarette case with certain of my improved monogram forming characters and a decorative frame applied thereto,

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional View therethrough but with the thickness of the monograms greatly exaggerated,

Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan view of the rear face of the monogram,

Fig. 4 is a further enlarged transverse View on the line 44 of Fig. 3 with the thickness of the monogram material and the adhesive material greatly exaggerated, and

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of one corner of a monogram on the same enlarged scale as Fig. 4.

In Figs. 1 and 2 I have shown my improved monogram applied to a conventional metal cigarette case consisting of two hinged sections 10-10 which cooperatively form a pocket for the cigarettes when closed by snap latch 11. It is characteristic of such cases that they are slightly flexible and that oftentimes, all surfaces of them are slightly convex. Such slight convexity or such slight flexibility will not impair the security of attachment of my improved monograms. The monogram illustrated consists of three letters 12, encircled by a decorative ring or frame 13.

A typical letter is illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4. Such letter is etched from an extremely thin gauge bendable substantially springless soft sheet metal stock say in the order of .005 to .015 inches in thickness and having hard polished surfaces and a more porous softer core. Adhesive material such as a water-proof cement l l is applied upon the back of the letter 12, preferably in such a fashion that the adhesive material forms a ridge 15 following the entire periphery of the letter. Thus, when the adhesive is softened by the application of a suitable solvent and the letter is pressed against the supporting surface afforded by the cigarette case, the entire area of the letter which is confined within the peripheral ridge 15 will cooperate with the supporting surface to define an evacuated chamber giving a highly effective suction cup action as claimed in my, copending application Serial No. 683,248 of which the present application is a continuation in part.

It will be understood that the decorative frame 13 is formed of similar stock and that the adhesive on its rear surface is also preferably arranged to form criss-crossing ridges or two annular ridges at the inner and outer edge of the ring. Such ridges cooperate to define an annular evacuated space, evacuation being effected bythe manual pressure applied to the ring as it is pressed home against the support.

An attempt to stamp these letters from sheet metal stock results in straining and distorting the metal, in bending the edges of the letters and in the production of burrs which are difficult to remove. Furthermore stamping tools for a complete alphabet are extremely expensive. I therefore prefer to etch the letters from thin sheet metal stock, the stock being preferably polished in advance of the etching process. This process is subject to many variations. My present invention relates primarily to the articles produced rather than to the method of manufacture. One typical satisfactory method however consists in photographically reproducing the images of the monograms upon a thin metal plate, coating the monograms with an acid resistant material, applying acid to eat away the metal around the monogram, then removing the resistor so that the etched product remains perfectly flat, undeformed by bending stress and devoid of burrs. Due to the fact that the metal adjacent the two surfaces thereof is probably slightly harder or differently grained than the metal between the surfaces, the metal will be so eaten away that the edges of the monogram are in most cases pronouncedly and in all cases noticeably concave in cross section as indicated at 16. The edge surfaces are also in most cases pitted, roughened or provided with minute depressions and accordingly darkened or tarnished llz y the corroding action of the acid as shown in The monogram thus formed is coated with adhesive material, some of this adhesive material hardening around the lower edges of the monograms.

The coating of adhesive material is extremely thin and remains flexible after it is dry; the monograms may be stacked without this coating material sticking to the face of a subj acent monogram and may be indefinitely kept in stock by a retailer.

The following explanation of the manner in which a monogram of this type is capable of simulating an inlay is believed to be correct in substance. There may be other contributing factors which are not recognized by applicant. In the first place, after the back of the gummed monogram has been moistened by a solvent and the monogram pressed into place against a support, the monogram will rise but a negligible height above the support and it will throw no appreciable shadow. In the second place the concavity and usually the darker color of the edges of the monogram renders these edges quite inconspicuous, that is to say, viewed from any angle the edges which would be vertical save for the concavity present a minimum amount of surface to the view of an observer.

Thirdly, the lower portions of these edges are partially covered by the cement which is placed upon them andby some of the cement from the peripheral ridges which works up around them as the monogram is pressed home. These facts all contribute in producing such an optical illusion that the monograms unless very carefully examined, seem to lie embedded in and flush with the support surface. Only by careful examination can one detect the difference between an inlay and the inlay simulation.

If the clerk makes a mistake and applies the wrong initial or for any reason it is desired to interchange or remove the monograms, they may be conveniently removed by moistening the exposed adhesive with a suitable solvent and then prying them off of the support surface by a sharp instrument inserted into the edge groove. same solvent may then be used to remove any vestiges of adhesive material from the previously monogrammed surface.

I do not wish to be limited to the use of any particular cement. Dupont waterproof household cement or John Collins cement will in many instances prove sufficiently good for the purpose but I prefer to use a cement which is of a more rubbery plastic nature.

This adhesive preferably contains latex or collodion or some similar agent which keeps it pliable or flexible after drying. Cements of the type used for securing blow out patches are suitable for my purpose, typically the cement sold under the trade-mark Goodyear. A cement which may be softened by a readily obtainable, non-inflammable solvent, such as a solvent having a carbon tetrachloride base is preferred. Energine, Carbona, Pyrene etc. are all suitable for use as solvents.

No specific cements or solvents are herein claimed although cements and solvents having certain desirable physical characteristics are claimed as part of the finished article in conjunction with other features of the invention where they cooperate to afford generically or specifically new combinations of elements.

Bending of the monograms as an incident of their application to a highly convex or slightly concave surface is inoperative to crack the cement from their backs. Also the softer rubbery cement requires but a light application of a solvent while the harder cement needs to be rather thoroughly saturated with solvent before it can be applied.

There is practically no danger of inadvertently knocking the monograms loose from their supports since they firmly adhere thereto and they have extremely thin edge surfaces inapt to come into contact with extraneous objects.

While I have set forth the advantages of certain specific processes, cements and solvents I do not wish to be limited to them since they are merely intended to teach the public how to make the article. The article itself however produced is the invention herein claimed.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:--

1. As a new article of manufacture a flat bendable metal monogram having its back coated with a dried water insoluble cement of a flexible character adapted to be slightly softened by a solvent to enable the monogram to be manually pressed into adhesive engagement with a support surface, the edge surfaces of the monogram being concave in cross section.

2. As a new article of manufacture a flat bendable metal monogram having its back coated with a dried water insoluble cement of a flexible character adapted to be slightly softened by a solvent to enable the monogram to be manually pressed into adhesive engagement with a support surface, the edge surfaces of the monogram being darker than the face thereof to render them inconspicuous.

3. A monogram adapted to be applied upon a support surface and to simulate an inlay lying flush with the surface, said monogram being of unstrained, flat, bendable sheet metal in the order of .005 of an inch in thickness, an extremely thin coating of non-water soluble adhesive material on the back of the monogram, adapted to be softened by a solvent whereby the monogram may be manually pressed into adhesive engagement with the support, the metal constituting the monogram having relatively hard polished surfaces and a relatively soft core and having grooves in its edges.

4. As a new article of manufacture a monogram etched from bendable metal in the order of .005 of an inch thick, whereby the edge is roughened and rendered less light reflecting and an extremely thin coating of cement applied to the rear face of the monogram and sufficiently plastic to remain intact when the monogram is flexed.

5. As a new article of manufacture a monogram etched from bright soft bendable highly polished metal in the order of .005 of an inch thick, said metal being bendable and an extremely thin coating of water-proof cement applied to the rear face of the monogram and sufl'iciently plastic to prevent cracking when the monogram is flexed, the edges of said monogram being slightly concave and of a darker color than the face of the monogram.

6. As a new article of manufacture a monogram of bright metal in the order of .005 of an inch thick, said metal being bendable and an extremely thin coating of water-proof cement applied to the rear face of the monogram and sufficiently plastic to prevent cracking when the monogram is flexed, the edge surface of said monogram being grooved for the reception of a prying tool whereby the monograms may be dislodged from their support without scratching the surface of the support.

7. As a new article of manufacture a monogram etched from bright metal in the order of .005 of an inch thick, said metal being bendable and an extremely thin coating of water-proof cement applied to the rear face of the monogram and sufliciently plastic to prevent cracking when the monogram is flexed, the edges of said monogram being slightly concave and of a darker color than the face of the monogram, the monogram being devoid of bevelled or rounded corners whereby no high lights are produced at the edges of the monogram.

8. A metal monogram adapted for application to a relatively hard smooth support area of contrasting surface appearance and to simulate an inlay lying flush with such area, said monogram comprising a blank of substantially flat bendable sheet metal in the order of .005 of an inch in thickness, the edge of said blank having minute depressions substantially throughout its area, thereby reducing the light reflecting property of the edge, a thin coating of normally dry adhesive material covering the back of the monogram blank and adapted to be softened by a solvent, whereby the monogram may be applied by manually pressing the same into adhesive engagement with the support area, and as thus applied, with the concealed face of the monogram blank substantially flush with the support area and the small thickness of the blank protruding therefrom, an inlay effect is simulated.

MICHAEL CHERNOW. 

